2.

4 Viscosity 33

proportionality in Eq. 2.14 is the absolute (or dynamic) viscosity, µ. Thus in terms of the
coordinates of Fig. 2.9, Newton’s law of viscosity is given for one-dimensional flow by

du
τ yx 5 µ ð2:15Þ
dy

Note that, since the dimensions of τ are [F/L2] and the dimensions of du/dy are [1/t], µ has
dimensions [Ft/L2]. Since the dimensions of force, F, mass, M, length, L, and time, t, are
related by Newton’s second law of motion, the dimensions of µ can also be expressed
as [M/Lt]. In the British Gravitational system, the units of viscosity are lbf s/ft2 or slug/
(ft s). In the Absolute Metric system, the basic unit of viscosity is called a poise [1 poise
1 g/(cm s)]; in the SI system the units of viscosity are kg/(m s) or Pa s (1 Pa s 5
1 N s/m2). The calculation of viscous shear stress is illustrated in Example 2.2.
In fluid mechanics the ratio of absolute viscosity, µ, to density, ρ, often arises. This
ratio is given the name kinematic viscosity and is represented by the symbol ν. Since
density has dimensions [M/L3], the dimensions of ν are [L2/t]. In the Absolute Metric
system of units, the unit for ν is a stoke (1 stoke 1 cm2/s).
Viscosity data for a number of common Newtonian fluids are given in Appendix A.
Note that for gases, viscosity increases with temperature, whereas for liquids, viscosity
decreases with increasing temperature.

E
xample 2.2 VISCOSITY AND SHEAR STRESS IN NEWTONIAN FLUID
An infinite plate is moved over a second plate on a layer of liquid as shown. For small gap width, d, we assume a
linear velocity distribution in the liquid. The liquid viscosity is 0.65 centipoise and its specific gravity is 0.88.
Determine:
(a) The absolute viscosity of the liquid, in lbf s/ft2.
y
(b) The kinematic viscosity of the liquid, in m2/s.
(c) The shear stress on the upper plate, in lbf/ft2. U = 0.3 m/s
(d) The shear stress on the lower plate, in Pa.
(e) The direction of each shear stress calculated in parts (c) and (d). d = 0.3 mm

x
Given: Linear velocity profile in the liquid between infinite parallel
plates as shown.
µ 5 0:65 cp
SG 5 0:88

Find: (a) µ in units of lbf s/ft2.

(b) ν in units of m2/s. y
(c) τ on upper plate in units of lbf/ft2.
U = 0.3 m/s
(d) τ on lower plate in units of Pa.
(e) Direction of stresses in parts (c) and (d). d = 0.3 mm

x
Solution:
du µ
Governing equation: τ yx 5 µ Definition: ν 5
dy ρ
Assumptions: (1) Linear velocity distribution (given)
(2) Steady flow
(3) µ 5 constant
poise g lbm slug cm lbf s2
(a) µ 5 0:65 cp 3 3 3 3 3 30:5 3
100 cp cm s poise 454 g 32:2 lbm ft slug ft
µ 5 1:36 3 1025 lbf s=ft2 ß
µ
34 Chapter 2 Fundamental Concepts

µ µ Part (c) s
(b) ν 5 5 hows tha
ρ SG ρH2 O is: t the she
ar stress
lbf s ft3 slug ft 2m
2 ü Consta
5 1:36 3 1025 3 3 3 ð0:305Þ nt ac
ft2 ð0:88Þ1:94 slug lbf s2 ft2 ear veloc ross the gap for
ü Directl ity profile. a lin-
ν 5 7:41 3 1027 m2 =s ß ν y prop ort
of the up ional to
du per plate the spee
(c) τ upper 5 τ yx; upper 5 µ linearity (because d
dy y5d ü Invers of Newtonian flu of the
ely p ids).
Since u varies linearly with y, between roportional to th
the plate e gap
Note tha s.
du ∆u U 20 U t multiply
5 5 5 by the p ing the s
∆y late area he a
dy d20 d
compute in such p r stress
m 1 mm s the for roblems
maintain ce requ ir
5 0:3 3 3 1000 5 1000 s21 the moti ed to
s 0:3 mm m on.

U lbf s 1000 τ upper

τ upper 5 µ 5 1:36 3 1025 3 5 0:0136 lbf=ft2 ß
d ft2 s
U lbf N ft2 Pa m2 τ lower
(d) τ lower 5 µ 5 0:0136 2 3 4:45 3 3 5 0:651 Pa ß
d ft lbf ð0:305Þ2 m2 N
(e) Directions of shear stresses on upper and lower plates.

The upper plate is a negative y surface; so

y
positive τ yx acts in the negative x direction:

τupper
The lower plate is a positive y surface; so
positive τ yx acts in the positive x direction:
τlower
x ðeÞ
ß

Non-Newtonian Fluids
Fluids in which shear stress is not directly proportional to deformation rate are non-
Newtonian. Although we will not discuss these much in this text, many common fluids
exhibit non-Newtonian behavior. Two familiar examples are toothpaste and Lucite5
paint. The latter is very “thick” when in the can, but becomes “thin” when sheared by
brushing. Toothpaste behaves as a “fluid” when squeezed from the tube. However, it
does not run out by itself when the cap is removed. There is a threshold or yield stress
below which toothpaste behaves as a solid. Strictly speaking, our definition of a fluid is
valid only for materials that have zero yield stress. Non-Newtonian fluids commonly
are classified as having time-independent or time-dependent behavior. Examples of
time-independent behavior are shown in the rheological diagram of Fig. 2.10.
Numerous empirical equations have been proposed [3, 4] to model the observed
relations between τ yx and du/dy for time-independent fluids. They may be adequately

5
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